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Used Mercedes E Class

AA Cars works closely with thousands of UK used car dealers to bring you one of the largest selections of
Mercedes E Class cars on the market. You can also browse
Mercedes dealers
to find a second hand car close to
you today. All used Mercedes E Class on the AA Cars website come with free 12 months breakdown cover.

Expert Opinion

With its origins dating back to 1947, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has stood the test of time. Spanning nine generations and now available as a Saloon, Estate, Cabriolet or Coupé, the E-Class embodies design, comfort and safety. Distinctively Mercedes, the E-Class has introduced innovations such as the Passenger Safety Cell and Crumple Zones, both designed to protect occupants in the event of an accident.

Mercedes E Class - Review

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About Mercedes E Class

The first Mercedes to wear the E Class badge was launched in 1986, yet the mid-range executive car the title now categorises has been produced since the fifties. With that long to perfect it, it's no wonder that the E Class is one of the leading cars in its class.Refined, mature and comfortable, the E Class is a leader in understated confidence. Very little is redundant or superfluous, instead it includes just what a driver needs, and concentrates on doing it the best it can. Testament to its popularity, it has been produced in various forms and generations for over sixty years, and is now one of the definitive cars in the Mercedes fleet.

Why buy a used E Class?

The modern day E Class has its roots way back in the 1950s, when the W120 Ponton was launched by Mercedes. Their only mid-sized car in production at the time, it was Mercedes' first car created with the intent of being both practically sized as well as luxurious.

What the modern E Class does, and what Mercedes have always excelled at, is present quality, well-built machines that last. Their design hasn't changed radically over the years (although the recently unveiled new generation claims to have undergone a radical redesign), but has done enough to keep it modern while maintaining the sophisticated Mercedes style. Inside the cabin this is also the case, favouring a no expense spared approach to equipment and finishing, while also managing to make it incredibly spacious. As a result there are few cars in its class that can match its comfort and practicality.

While it leads in the quality stakes, it does fall slightly behind its rivals in terms of its performance and handling, which suggest reliability and refinement rather than excitement. The top seller of the last generation was the 250 CDI, which boasted 201bhp and a 0-62mph time of just under eight seconds - an average figure for the mid-size exec class, but an impressive time nonetheless.

A facelifted model released in 2013 improves on these figures slightly, increasing power in the 2.0 litre turbo petrol from 201 to 208bhp, and torque up from 228lb to 258lb. It's a minor increase, but crucially it is not at the expense of anything. Rather, it improves on emissions by reducing them from 154g/km to 138g/km, and improves fuel efficiency by adding an extra five miles per gallon onto the pre-facelift model's 42.8mpg, to return 47.9mpg. Alternatively there is a hybrid model which, while not coming cheap, does improve fuel consumption to return a little under 70mpg.

Aerodynamic and quiet, the ride is calm, while body roll is subdued without being nonexistent. Along with good handling and forgiving suspension the emphasis is on offering a smooth ride rather than an out and out exciting one. It is again an area where the E Class' refinement gives it its edge over its rivals.

Coming from a brand with a reputation built on quality, it's no surprise that the E Class' strongest elements are its comfort and its solidity. But this is not to suggest that it is not fun to drive. Good engines and a refined ride make it both a sensible car and a lively one - just not market leading in this respect. Mercedes are built to last, so you can be sure to get more than your money's worth, even as the years and miles clock up.

E Class updates

The Mercedes E Class is one of longest running cars in the Mercedes fleet, and is one of the leading contenders in its class.

Here's a brief look at the E Class's long history, starting way back in the 1950s.

Although not labelled with the E Class name, the arrival of the first mid-sized executive Mercedes dates back to the 1950s, when the W120 was launched.

After a number of subsequent generations, the W124 was launched in 1986, and was the first Mercedes to be labelled under the E Class name. It was a radically redesigned version of the cars which came before it.

In 1993 the E Class cars were re-badged, meaning that those previously featuring an E suffix, now sported an E prefix - instead of 500E, they were named E500.

The W210 E Class was launched in 1995 and was developed more for the luxury market. Four years later, in 1999, it was given a facelift which included redesigning both visual and engineering elements.

In 2002 the W211 E Class was introduced. The first sight of the car for many customers came in the film Men in Black II. The new model was widely thought to be a substantial and marked improvement on its predecessor.

The W212 was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and came with a range of new features including a blind spot monitor, lane keeping assist and night view assist.

A redesign of the W212 in 2013 saw the car undergo a number of radical design changes as well as engine modifications to improve efficiency. The trim selection on this new model was reduced to just two, but options on both were broadened.

Which used E Class should I buy?

With over sixty years of the E Class, there are a number of different models from which to choose, from the very early, limited spec models, to the newest generation which comes with a choice of just two trim levels. Here are the key features of the most recent E Class models.

What should I look for when buying a
used E Class?

The Mercedes E Class is one of the most reliable cars available on the market, but make sure to look out for some of these commonly found faults in order to find a car in good condition.

Conduct an exterior inspection of the car, taking special care to check for rust around the door and door seals.

There have been reports of problems with the prop/cross shaft couplings in some E Classes with automatic transmission. Check this by putting the car into reverse and then into drive. If there is a vibration coming from the centre of the car or a clunking noise, it could mean that this may need to be repaired.

Have a look under the bonnet, specifically at the head gasket. If there is any oil leaking down the side of the engine, or if there is any emulsion under the oil cap, it could mean that the head gasket is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Listen to the engine noise when you select gear. If there is any squeaking or knocking it could mean the the V belt tensioner and dampener will need to be replaced.

Make sure to check the brakes as the sensotronic brake control (SBC) that the E Class uses can sometimes fail. There is a SBC light on the dashboard, which if illuminated means that the brakes should be checked by a mechanic.

Check the car's tyres for excessive and irregular wear. This could be caused by the thrust link bushings cracking and leaking.

Some E Classes have suffered from airmatic pump motors failing. This could be indicated by noises coming from the front axle when driving on bumpy roads.

While on the road, accelerate to between 60 and 70mpg and lightly test the steering. If it feels unstable or begins to wander, it could mean that the car has a leaking steering damper which will need to be repaired.